Wonderful Watermelon

 Watermelon is one of my favorite fruits. I am not sure if it's the juiciness, sweetness or the wonderful color that makes me love it so; but I do. There are so many reason to partake in the deliciousness and I find every opportunity to do so during its peak season. The health benefits of this "super" fruit are not to be taken lightly and can make a huge difference in helping to increase your water intake in a fun way. Hydration is essential and watermelon is packed with it's namesake, although there is more to this fruit than water. It is an extremely nutrient dense food.

Each one-cup serving of watermelon provides (in recommended daily allowances):

• 46 calories

• 0 grams of fat or protein

• 5 grams of sugar

• 21 percent vitamin C

• 18 percent vitamin A

• 5 percent potassium

• 4 percent magnesium

• 3 percent copper

• 3 percent manganese

• 3 percent pantothenic acid

• 3 percent vitamin B1 (thiamine)

• 3 percent vitamin B6

​Watermelon is a natural diuretic, but helps the liver process ammonia which eases strain on the kidneys while getting rid of excess fluids. Studies have shown that potassium found in fruits and vegetables like watermelon is very helpful in cleaning toxins and washing out waste from the blood, helping to prevent kidney stones. Watermelons have an alkaline-forming effect in the body when fully ripe. Eating lots of alkaline-forming foods can help reduce your risk of developing disease and illness.

The vitamin C content in watermelon is amazingly high. Vitamin C is great at improving our immune system by maintaining the redox integrity of cells and thereby protecting them from reactive oxygen species. The role of vitamin C in healing wounds has also been observed in numerous studies because it is essential to the formation of new connective tissue. The enzymes involved in forming collagen (the main component of wound healing) cannot function without vitamin C.

Watermelon helps prevent both low potassium and magnesium deficiency, and these are two critical nutrients used to help remedy high blood pressure naturally. Consuming proper amounts of potassium and magnesium from a healthy diet is correlated with overall reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease mortality. 

Lypocene, a carotenoid found in abundance in watermelon, also improves cardiac function. The carotenoid phytonutrient lycopene that is present in watermelon has been linked to fighting breast and prostate cancer. Research has shown that lycopene plays a part in keeping cell membranes strong so they can protect themselves from toxins that can potentially cause cell death or mutation.

What more could you ask for?